Total microcystins, chlorophyll, and other water quality data collected in Lake Erie from 2013-06-18 to 2024-10-22 (NCEI Accession 0276941)

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Water sample data collected and curated by Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory and others between 2013 and 2024 in Lake Erie. The samples were collected in part of several projects funded by various state (Ohio EPA and Ohio Sea Grant) and federal agencies (US EPA, NSF, NIH, NOAA). The program column describes who or why the samples were collected. The captains program is a partnership between Stone Lab and the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association in which the captains collect water samples and Stone Lab analyzes them (https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/products/4c0k6/charter-boat-captains-help-monitor-lake-erie-water-quality). The SL Buoy program is a high temporal resolution dataset of grab samples paired with a high temporal resolution sonde data attached to a buoy (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2612-z). The HABs Grab were high spatial resolution samples collected on two days during peak blooms of 2018 and 2019 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.102080). The flow-through program was an attempt to collect water quality data throughout the winter by pumping lake water into the research building at Stone Lab. Programs Stone Lab and UToledo were samples collected by Stone Lab and UT Lake Erie Center from research vessels at routinely monitored locations. Samples were analyzed for chlorophyll a (an indicator of algae biomass), microcystins (a group of toxins produced by cyanobacteria), total phosphorus and nitrogen (indicators of maximum biomass potential), dissolved nitrate, phosphate, and silicate (nutrients available for algae), and total suspended solids (mass of all particulates in the water).

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Chaffin, Justin (2023). Total microcystins, chlorophyll, and other water quality data collected in Lake Erie from 2013-06-18 to 2024-10-22 (NCEI Accession 0276941). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/7c57-gf98. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0276941

XML


Download Data	HTTPS (download) Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. FTP (download) These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
Distribution Formats	Excel (Version: Excel 2016)
Ordering Instructions	Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov


Time Period	2013-06-18 to 2024-10-22
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	N: 42.084 S: 41.377 E: -81.24 W: -83.58
Spatial Coverage Map


General Documentation	NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.
Associated Resources	Chaffin, J. D., Westrick, J. A., Furr, E., Birbeck, J. A., Reitz, L. A., Stanislawczyk, K., Li, W., Weber, P. K., Bridgeman, T. B., Davis, T. W., & Mayali, X. (2022). Quantification of microcystin production and biodegradation rates in the western basin of Lake Erie. Limnology and Oceanography, 67(7), 1470–1483. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12096 https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12096 journal article Chaffin, J. D., Bratton, J. F., Verhamme, E. M., Bair, H. B., Beecher, A. A., Binding, C. E., Birbeck, J. A., Bridgeman, T. B., Chang, X., Crossman, J., Currie, W. J. S., Davis, T. W., Dick, G. J., Drouillard, K. G., Errera, R. M., Frenken, T., MacIsaac, H. J., McClure, A., McKay, R. M., … Zhou, X. (2021). The Lake Erie HABs Grab: A binational collaboration to characterize the western basin cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms at an unprecedented high-resolution spatial scale. Harmful Algae, 108, 102080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.102080 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.102080 journal article Chaffin, J. D., Davis, T. W., Smith, D. J., Baer, M. M., & Dick, G. J. (2018). Interactions between nitrogen form, loading rate, and light intensity on Microcystis and Planktothrix growth and microcystin production. Harmful Algae, 73, 84–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2018.02.001 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2018.02.001 journal article Chaffin, J. D., Mishra, S., Kane, D. D., Bade, D. L., Stanislawczyk, K., Slodysko, K. N., Jones, K. W., Parker, E. M., & Fox, E. L. (2019). Cyanobacterial blooms in the central basin of Lake Erie: Potentials for cyanotoxins and environmental drivers. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 45(2), 277–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2018.12.006 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2018.12.006 journal article Chaffin, J. D., Kane, D. D., Stanislawczyk, K., & Parker, E. M. (2018). Accuracy of data buoys for measurement of cyanobacteria, chlorophyll, and turbidity in a large lake (Lake Erie, North America): implications for estimation of cyanobacterial bloom parameters from water quality sonde measurements. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(25), 25175–25189. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2612-z https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2612-z journal article

General Documentation

NCEI Dataset Landing Page
Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.
Descriptive Information
Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.

Associated Resources

Chaffin, J. D., Westrick, J. A., Furr, E., Birbeck, J. A., Reitz, L. A., Stanislawczyk, K., Li, W., Weber, P. K., Bridgeman, T. B., Davis, T. W., & Mayali, X. (2022). Quantification of microcystin production and biodegradation rates in the western basin of Lake Erie. Limnology and Oceanography, 67(7), 1470–1483. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12096
- https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12096
  journal article
Chaffin, J. D., Bratton, J. F., Verhamme, E. M., Bair, H. B., Beecher, A. A., Binding, C. E., Birbeck, J. A., Bridgeman, T. B., Chang, X., Crossman, J., Currie, W. J. S., Davis, T. W., Dick, G. J., Drouillard, K. G., Errera, R. M., Frenken, T., MacIsaac, H. J., McClure, A., McKay, R. M., … Zhou, X. (2021). The Lake Erie HABs Grab: A binational collaboration to characterize the western basin cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms at an unprecedented high-resolution spatial scale. Harmful Algae, 108, 102080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.102080
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.102080
  journal article
Chaffin, J. D., Davis, T. W., Smith, D. J., Baer, M. M., & Dick, G. J. (2018). Interactions between nitrogen form, loading rate, and light intensity on Microcystis and Planktothrix growth and microcystin production. Harmful Algae, 73, 84–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2018.02.001
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2018.02.001
  journal article
Chaffin, J. D., Mishra, S., Kane, D. D., Bade, D. L., Stanislawczyk, K., Slodysko, K. N., Jones, K. W., Parker, E. M., & Fox, E. L. (2019). Cyanobacterial blooms in the central basin of Lake Erie: Potentials for cyanotoxins and environmental drivers. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 45(2), 277–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2018.12.006
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2018.12.006
  journal article
Chaffin, J. D., Kane, D. D., Stanislawczyk, K., & Parker, E. M. (2018). Accuracy of data buoys for measurement of cyanobacteria, chlorophyll, and turbidity in a large lake (Lake Erie, North America): implications for estimation of cyanobacterial bloom parameters from water quality sonde measurements. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(25), 25175–25189. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2612-z
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2612-z
  journal article


Publication Dates	publication: 2023-03-22 revision: 2025-05-28 creation: 2023-03-09
Data Presentation Form	Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status	Complete - production of the data has been completed Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency	As needed - NCEI Accession 0276941 was revised and a new version of the archival package was published. Updates to existing archival packages may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. The latest version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. Please see journal.txt in the /about directory for additional details on changes made.
Supplemental Information	In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number.
Purpose	These data were collected to help track water quality of Lake Erie.
Use Limitations	accessLevel: Public Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.


Dataset Citation	Cite as: Chaffin, Justin (2023). Total microcystins, chlorophyll, and other water quality data collected in Lake Erie from 2013-06-18 to 2024-10-22 (NCEI Accession 0276941). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/7c57-gf98. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Chaffin, Justin The Ohio State University
Principal Investigators	Justin Chaffin The Ohio State University (OSU)
Resource Providers	The Ohio State University (OSU) Justin Chaffin The Ohio State University (OSU)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Funding Agency: NOAA NOS Funding Agency: Ohio EPA Environmental Education Fund Funding Agency: Ohio EPA Surface Water Improvement Fund Funding Agency: Ohio Sea Grant Funding Agency: Ohio Water Resources Center Funding Agency: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Funding Agency: National Science Foundation Funding Agency: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences


Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS ALGAL BLOOM PRESENCE AMMONIUM (NH4) biological data CHLOROPHYLL - EXTRACTED DEPTH - BOTTOM diatom DISSOLVED ORGANIC MATTER harmful algal blooms (HABs) NITRATE nitrate + nitrite content (concentration) NITRITE Secchi depth silicate suspended solids TOTAL ASH-FREE DRY MASS Total nitrogen TOTAL PHOSPHORUS TOXIN NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS in situ laboratory analyses WMO_CategoryCode oceanography Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > MICROALGAE > DIATOMS EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > BATHYMETRY/SEAFLOOR TOPOGRAPHY > WATER DEPTH EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > AMMONIA EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > CHLOROPHYLL EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > NITRATE EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > NITRITE EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > NITROGEN EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > ORGANIC MATTER EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > SILICATE EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > SUSPENDED SOLIDS EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN OPTICS > SECCHI DEPTH EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > WATER QUALITY > ALGAL BLOOMS > HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM (HABs) Earth Science > Biological Classification > Bacteria/Archaea > Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Chemistry > Organic Matter > Colored Dissolved Organic Matter Provider Keywords ammonium cryptophytes chlorophyll cyanobacteria diatoms chlorophyll dissolved reactive phosphorus non-volatile suspended solids total microcystins
Data Center keywords	NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS The Ohio State University
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS GPS multi-parameter water quality sensor Secchi disk Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords GPS RECEIVERS > GPS RECEIVERS SECCHI DISKS > SECCHI DISKS Provider Instruments YSI 6600v2 YSI EXO2 benchtop cuvetter water sampler
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Great Lakes Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > CANADA > GREAT LAKES, CANADA CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > GREAT LAKES Provider Place Names Lake Erie
Project keywords	NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB) Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords ECOHAB > Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Bloom
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0276941
Keywords	Send2NCEI Submission Package ID LA3034


Use Constraints	Cite as: Chaffin, Justin (2023). Total microcystins, chlorophyll, and other water quality data collected in Lake Erie from 2013-06-18 to 2024-10-22 (NCEI Accession 0276941). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/7c57-gf98. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints	Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees	In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	2023-03-22T19:01:39Z - NCEI Accession 0276941 v1.1 was published. Rationale: Access to this revision of this accession has been limited, and full and open access is not available at this time. As acknowledged in NOAA Administrative Order 212-15, some data archived at NCEI may have specific access constraints that are mutually agreed upon and documented by the Data Producer / Data Provider and NCEI. 2025-05-28T16:40:30Z - NCEI Accession 0276941 was revised and v2.2 was published. Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0276941 v2.2 NCEI Accession 0276941 v2.2 (download) published 2025-05-28T16:40:30Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: Total Microcystins (measured); Units: microgram/liter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: water sampler; Sampling and Analyzing Method: ELISA Parameter or Variable: CHLOROPHYLL - EXTRACTED (measured); Units: microgram/liter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: water sampler Parameter or Variable: nitrate + nitrite content (concentration) (measured); Units: micromole/liter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: water sampler Parameter or Variable: AMMONIUM (NH4) (measured); Units: micromole/liter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: water sampler Parameter or Variable: dissolved reactive phosphorus (measured); Units: micromole/liter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: water sampler Parameter or Variable: TOTAL PHOSPHORUS (measured); Units: micromole/liter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: water sampler Parameter or Variable: Total nitrogen (measured); Units: micromole/liter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: water sampler Parameter or Variable: Secchi depth (measured); Units: meter; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Secchi disk

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	GPS multi-parameter water quality sensor Secchi disk

Last Modified: 2025-09-30T13:10:24Z

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